Wines by Region

WINES OF AUSTRALIA

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia is the world's fourth largest exporter of wine with approximately 750 million liters a year - equivalent to over a billion standard-sized bottles! Wine is produced in every state, where different wine varieties and styles are unique to the climatic differences, topography and soil types. Australia’s wine regions are dense in the southern, cooler parts of the country, especially South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. There are over 130 different grape varieties in Australia, albeit grapes are not native to the continent, the most popular being Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. In recent years, producers have grown varieties from France, Italy and Spain: Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier.

Marquee SelectionsSilver Wings Winemaking

WINES OF ARGENTINA

At one time, Argentina wines were some of the most difficult to come across. The increasing visibility of Argentinian wine reflects not a waning quality, but rather a number of factors including foreign investors' giddiness over unexplored possibilities of the Mendoza wine region (the size of Germany, it has more acreage under vine than Australia and New Zealand combined) and a domestic market that no longer consumes almost 90% of their country’s production (consumption was at 90 liters per person per year at one point!). The increasing popularity of Malbec, a French varietal grown primarily in Cahors and in lesser amounts in Bordeaux, has helped as well. Malbec has found a unique expression in Mendoza’s alluvial sand and clay soils and is especially popular with American and English consumers. The future of Argentinian wines looks to promote Torrontes as the national white grape and the potential for Pinot Noir and Riesling in Patagonia, the southernmost wine region in the world.

Caligiore Ecological Vineyards

WINES OF ITALY

The scale of the Italian wine industry can be daunting - over 1,300 varieties grown among the 900,000+ registered vineyards spread across over 8,000 communes. Learning Italian wine, or even a region such as Tuscany or Piedmont, can be a life-long undertaking. Luckily, even brief explorations are capable of yielding extraordinary tasting experiences with a wide variety of varietals such as Grignolino, Cortese and Barbera, and lesser-known treasures coaxed out of Nero d’ Avola, Lambrusco, Aglianico and more.

Castello Di Gabiano - Quattro Leoni Wines

WINES OF PORTUGAL

Portugal has a rich and diverse wine history that dates back to the Roman times. From vineyards that line its breathtaking shoreline to the high mountain, Portuguese wines are unique from its variety in soil and climate. Look for crisp white wines to elegant reds and everything in between.

SensiWines of Portugal Wines & Winemakers By Saven

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Dutch colonials of 1600’s Constantia can take credit for the earliest vine cultivation in South Africa, but it wasn’t until the end of Apartheid in 1991 that the nation’s wine exporting industry, then stagnant under trading bans placed, began to take off. Today, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, lead the way as South Africa’s most visible examples. Coastal Region districts Paarl and Stellenbosch are the two of the higher quality regions, although innovative winemaking techniques being implemented in Olifants River and the fortified wines of Klein Karoo show promise for the most tenured of New World wine countries.

Backsberg Selections

WINES OF SPAIN

Despite being an established, Old World wine country leading the world in vine acreage, Spain is in a vinous revolution, dramatically improving the overall quality of their wines. Thanks in part to regional efforts from Rioja, Rias Baixas, Priorat, and Jerez to grow and promote high quality expressions of their land – Tempranillo, Albarino, Garnacha and Palomino, respectively –Spain produces a range of high-value wines that please oenophiles across a broad preference spectrum. With numerous regions concentrating on specific varietals without conforming to a singular expression of their region’s chosen grape, it should come as no surprise if Spain dethrones Italy as the leading wine producer by volume.

Bodegas La PurisimaLos Aljibes Estate

WINES OF THE UNITED STATES

Marquee selected two classic varietals to start our Lake County Classy series of wines with; Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. With vineyard locations that are very near to the largest "natural lake" wholly within the state of California, Clear Lake, the lake has a moderating effect on the climate and vineyards range from alluvial soils near the dormant volcano Mount Konocti to more moderate elevations around 2000 ft. above sea level. This allowance for warm days and nighttime temperatures that drop significantly allow the grapes to ripen at optimum rates for moderate sugars and sufficient acidity (hallmarks to great Sav. Blanc and Zinfandel). From our sophisticated and fashionable labeling, to our modern "jet black" stelvin screw caps on Classy, you can be sure that the juice inside is fit to match with your next stylish occasion!

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